Deceived (1991)

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Director:

Damian Harris

Writers:

Mary Agnes Donoghue (story)
Mary Agnes Donoghue (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

27 September 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Thriller

Plot:

A marriage that seemed perfect comes crashing down after the supposed death of Jack Saunders, husband of Adrienne Saunders...

Plot Keywords:

Back From The Dead | Art Forgery | New York City | Housekeeper | Automobile Accident

Cast

Goldie Hawn	...	Adrienne Saunders
Damon Redfern	...	Maitre D'
John Heard	...	Jack Saunders
Charles Kassatly	...	Waiter
Robin Bartlett	...	Charlotte
Ashley Peldon	...	Mary Saunders
Beatrice Straight	...	Adrienne's Mother
George R. Robertson	...	Adrienne's Father
Maia Filar	...	Carol Gingold
Tom Irwin	...	Harvey
Jan Rubes	...	Tomasz
Anais Granofsky	...	Ellen
Heidi von Palleske	...	Mrs. Peabody
Stanley Anderson	...	Det. Kinsella
Peter Stevens	...	Ron

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Norway:15 | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | USA:PG-13 | Australia:M | UK:15

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Silver Screen Partners IV

Trivia:

This film was originally titled "The Mrs." and early promotional material (including an early version of the final poster) contained this title. It became "Deceived" because the producers wanted to further separate Goldie Hawn's association with bubbly comedy and they felt "The Mrs." didn't make the theme clear enough.

Goofs:

Continuity: After Adrienne puts down Jack's/Daniel's wedding portrait, she covers it when she opens the photo album. When she pushes all the pictures off the table, the portrait isn't covered.

Quotes:

Adrienne Saunders: I- I really do apologize, I wouldn't bother you normally, but I just have to have that necklace tonight.
Carol Gingold: No! She said I could have this!
Mrs. Gingold: I know, honey, but the necklace isn't a toy, and...
Carol Gingold: Daddy!
[runs from the room]
Carol Gingold: She said I could have it, and now she wants it back!
Mr. Gingold: This is very confusing for Carol, Mrs. Saunders.
Adrienne Saunders: I'm sure it is Mr. Gingold, but this happens to be a very valuable piece of jewelry.
Mr. Gingold: I know how you feel, Carol. It's very confusing when grown-ups do things that aren't fair.
[gives Adrienne a dirty look]
[...]

Soundtrack:

World Gone Strange

Formulaic, but watchable...

Goldie Hawn has never been a favorite, I must admit, but that is all the more reason to catch her in the one performance where she is not quirky, superfluous or silly.

The theme of this story has been done before, but thanks to a fine performance by John Heard, the character of Jack Saunders is intriguing and foreboding. John Heard is an underrated actor who adds a somewhat mischievous, ominous and sometimes comical overtone to his roles (You may want to watch him in the earlier 1970's film "Chilly Scenes of Winter", and there was also a film short wherein he portrayed Fortunato, in Edgar Allen Poe's "Cask of Amontillado". He was excellent).

Look for Ashley Peldon as the young daughter; Robin Bartlett, who is underused as Heard's estranged mother, and Tom Irwin, as Hawn's colleague from the art museum. The mystery is enough to keep you watching, and overall Heard's performance makes it all worthwhile. 7/10.